Chapter 24

Three years later...

After an extended storyline, Scarlett and Jett finally got their television staged divorce on the show. Thus allowing Scarlett to be with her now-husband, Noah Wilson, on the show and in actual life. To Jett's relief, the tiered storyline was over and he could move forward with something new.

Jett had kept his word to Bella in the three years since the day he had to leave his queen behind at Mecca Island. He never loved another woman since Bella. He dated a couple of times, but no one was like his Bella.

Jett hadn't seen her in a while but still tried to make things right. They had tried to call each other and keep in touch, but seeing her on rare occasions was too hard. It always just resulted in them being separated, and it became easier to just stay away than be heartbroken all over again. Regardless, Jett still couldn't let it go. Bella still held a place in his heart, no matter how long life separated them.

Scarlett hated seeing Jett and Bella hurting. They were her best friends, and she knew they belonged together. She always knew they were a love of a lifetime. Even in the early days, where she protested it so much, knew they were meant to be. Scarlett had visited Bella often and knew how lonely she had become.

Bella spent most of her time helping the poor and working to reform Mecca Island laws. Bella became queen a year prior to following her great uncle's passing. Her uncle went into cancer remission for a while, but it came back quickly. He died peacefully in Bella's arms.

Life in Mecca had changed since Bella became queen. The government was changing slowly. The rules against the homeless were revoked, and the upper class had been helping her with building shelters and feeding the less fortunate. It surprised her how much the Mecca Island people were ready for change. They had given women more rights, and they were working on becoming more of a democratic monarch. Soon the royal monarch would not be needed as much. The queen still ruled but shared equally the power with parliament. They had voted women into parliament for the first time in Mecca Island history. Things were slowly looking up for the little island.

The one rule Bella was yet to change was royal marriage.

She was reaching her one year as queen, and the duke was making her life as miserable as he could.

Scarlett was sitting in her hotel room chatting with Bella online. "So explain this to me like I'm stupid. This duke guy is still trying to get your crown?"

"Yep. Duke Arden called an emergency meeting of parliament. He pushed the issue so much they couldn't deny it. The old rule that a queen has to marry within a year of her coronation, or vanquish her title, is now in progress. I'm being forced into an arranged marriage. I don't know what to do? I miss Jett and I'm so miserable," she wept.

"Oh, Bella. I know you do. Don't cry."

"I can't fight it. I'm a woman, so I can't change the law to fit my own needs. It's against our laws."

"But you can't marry the duke. His own queen revoked his agreement."

"Right, but he figured out a loophole. The duke has a nephew a few years older than me. He is pushing him into power. I'm sure you remember hearing about him during my princess coronation. He is just as evil and vile as his father. He was the one their parliament chose and my people agreed. After all that I have done for these people. They are forcing me to marry a monster."

"I saw him on TV. He is handsome, but it's obvious that all he cares about is becoming king."

Bella agreed, "Yeah, and to make things worse, he hates me and thinks I'm nothing more than street trash. He pretends he's attracted to me, but I think all he wants is the money and title. He also... has been harassing me."

"Harassing you how?"

"Trying to force himself on me. I can't stand him. I'm scared of him, Scarlett. I don't know how to get out of this."

Scarlett tried to hold back tears. "It's going to be okay, Bella. I'll help you figure something out. I promise. Don't worry."

"Thanks, bestie. I should go. I'm going to read at the orphanage today. They are having a birthday party for one of the boys. I love it there. Those kids are so much fun."

"That's good. Go have fun. Keep your head up, Queenie. I'll see you soon."

***

Jett stomped across the locker room. "Scarlett, she's marrying another man. I thought nothing could hurt as much as the day I had to leave her. Until now." Jett sat petting his bulldog, Dozer, who had been making appearances with him on stage.

"Jett, she's hurting too. She doesn't want any of this. It's killing her. All she talks about is you lately. You have to tell her you still love her before it's too late. If she's forced to marry him, it's over. You will never be together if we don't do anything."

"I know. But how? It's been three years since I had to break up with her. The only time I have seen her, for more than an hour, was when we went for special occasions; Cora and William's wedding, the king's funeral, and the wrestling shows we do in Mecca Island. On major holidays, when she takes my calls, is the only thing I have left to hold on to. I haven't heard her voice in six months," Jett said, putting his head in his hands. "I should have never been able to be alone with her that night after the last show. It was like we had never been apart. Making love to her again just made it worse. I had to break her heart again. Why can't I just forget about her and move on? Scarlett, tell me how to stop loving her."

"I don't think I can. You're in love. Nothing will stop that." Jett rolled his eyes at her and Scarlett stomped, getting angry.

"You're not really helping."

"That's it! How about instead of sitting here feeling sorry for yourself, you could get off your ass and fight for the love of your life! You are so stupid. If you really love her, fight! You made the king a promise. You wouldn't let the duke get to her. Well, that means his creepy nephew too. That gross duke may not be the one who is marrying her now, but his nephew is just as bad. He may be handsome, but he's an awful person."

"I'm not sure how much fight I have left."

"Well, you sure better figure it out before you end up losing her and spend the rest of your life with regret." Scarlett went to stomp out of the locker room. "She's my friend and I'm going to figure out a way to stop this."

"How? We have nothing to stand up against parliament."

"Jett, you don't understand. The man has been sexually harassing Bella. Stop him before something happens to her. You know she would never submit to another man when she loves you so much. If you love her, grow some balls and man up!"

"He touched my Bella?"

Rage built in Jett like he never knew before. She was his and the little bit if fight he had left, had just resurfaced.

"He tired. Bella's tough and fought him off. But she needs you... now."

"Get your father's lawyers. We have to figure something out. You're right. It's time I fight for my queen."

"About damn time," Scarlett said, pleased with herself.

She knew this Jett was still in there. The fighter who would never back down.